CDL Permit

A CDL instruction permit will then be issued that is valid for 6 months. You may schedule a road skills test with Kentucky State Police 10 days after the permit has been issued.

CDL Fees

Application: $24

Instruction permit: $11

Original CDL: up to $40 (prorated fees according to current operator's expiration)

Renewal CDL: $47

Transfer CDL: $60

With motorcycle: $70

Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was designed to improve highway safety. Its purpose was to ensure that drivers of commercial vehicles are qualified to drive them, and to remove unsafe drivers from the highways. The Act didn't require federal driver licensing―states still license commercial drivers―but it established minimum standards that states must meet when issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs). It required states to upgrade their existing programs to follow the new federal standards.

Before the Act was passed, many commercial vehicle drivers operated vehicles they were not properly trained on or qualified to drive. Even in states that had separate license classes, drivers were not necessarily tested in the types of vehicles they would be driving. States must now test commercial drivers according to federal standards, to ensure that drivers know how to operate the trucks or buses they intend to drive.

CDL Classes for Every State

The Act established separate classes of commercial driver's licenses. Every state issues licenses in these categories:

Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military vehicles.

Endorsements

To be licensed for certain types of commercial vehicles, extra testing is required. If you pass, you will receive an endorsement on your CDL. These are the endorsements that you can apply for:

T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)

P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests)

N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)

H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)

S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)

Minimum Training Requirements

There are no federal standards in place for on-the-road commercial driver training. The government only requires that you take and pass your CDL knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests. Longer-combination-vehicle (LCV) drivers must receive training in driver wellness, driver qualifications, hours of service, and whistleblower protection.

New Federal Requirements

You must self-certify your type of vehicle operation with the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing. This means you must self-certify one of the following driving categories:

Non-Excepted Interstate

Excepted Interstate

Non-Excepted Intrastate

Excepted Intrastate

If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must provide the Division of Driver Licensing with a federal medical certificate.

Hazmat Background Checks

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) must pass a background records check and be fingerprinted. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting the background checks for all commercial drivers with hazmat endorsements or who want to add hazmat endorsements to their licenses. The TSA developed this program to carry out the USA PATRIOT Act mandate and protect citizens from the potential threat of terrorists using hazmat cargo.

If the TSA disqualifies you because of your background, you can appeal their finding or seek a waiver. However, if you are found guilty of a disqualifying crime, you must declare any disqualifying conditions and surrender your hazmat endorsement (if you already have it) to your state's department of motor vehicles or other licensing agency.

Applying for a Hazardous Materials Background Check

After you get a CDL, apply for a background check from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) if you'll be obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement. You may do this online or by contacting a TSA agent. They will ask for:

Your CDL or CDL permit number.

Proof of legal status.

Proof of Identity.

Next, the TSA will ask you to go to a fingerprint office to give your fingerprints. The TSA and the FBI will conduct background investigations. You will be responsible for various fees.

Disqualifying Crimes

Conviction of any of the following crimes will disqualify you from being eligible for a hazmat endorsement:

Terrorism

Murder

Assault with intent to murder

Espionage

Sedition

Kidnapping or hostage-taking

Treason

Rape or aggravated sexual abuse

Extortion

Robbery

Arson

Bribery

Smuggling

Immigration violations

RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations

Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive device, firearm, or other weapon

Distribution of, intent to distribute, possession, or importation of a controlled substance